Occupational Health and Safety Division

The Occupational Health & Safety Division (OH&S) concentrates its efforts on safe and healthy workplaces, and work practices, and safety standards protecting the general public. The Division seeks to continuously improve the provision of its services.

The OH&S Division focuses on the promotion of the internal responsibility system. The system acknowledges the responsibility of employers and employees for workplace health and safety.

Contact Information

The OH&S Division, through information and enforcement, affects public and workplace health and safety through:

• promoting the primary responsibility of employers and employees to create safe and healthy workplaces through the use of safe work practices, adequate training and suitable equipment.
• providing inspection, certification and enforcement services; to demonstrate to our clients that a level of surveillance exists to monitor and to correct actions or conditions that are not in keeping with the requirements of the legislation, especially those related to the internal responsibility system. The enforcement provisions also ensure that where violations of the legislation are identified, appropriate action is taken, providing both general and specific deterrence.
• developing partnerships through dialogue and information exchange, providing opportunities for client consultation which shapes OH&S Division services. The OH&S Division also recognizes the value of promoting general health and safety awareness.
• enhancing client services to create an environment that sustains the development, availability and delivery of client services.
• ensuring effective use of resources to service the public by effectively and efficiently allocating resources in pursuit of our mission.
• ensuring the continuous evolution of legislation to serve Nova Scotians better. Changes to legislation will incorporate technological changes and recognize the evolution of workplace practices and standards.

The Division is built around two service branches; Inspection and Compliance Services and Professional Services. Inspection and Compliance Services are those provided directly to the client in the workplace. Professional Services are those directed to give technical support to the Inspection and Compliance Services officers.

The work of the Occupational Health and Safety Division is enhanced through two Councils and Boards with whom we cooperate:

• Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council